A comparison of eight methods for estimating the biomass and growth of planktonic algae

摘要: Eight methods for estimating algal biomass were compared, using the colonial diatom Asterionella formosa as a test organism. They based on (i) cell counts by visual microscopy and electronic means, (ii) optical properties in vivo of scattering, attenuance fluorescence (iii) chemical estimations, filtered cell-aliquots, reducing capacity (C-equivalent) solvent-extracted chlorophyll a. The main criteria parameters precision, sensitivity, limit detection plus time taken sample quantity required. Most yielded an acceptable precision over wide ranges concentrations although counting nephelometry coefficient variation typically exceeded 10%. estimations most rapid, but unsuitable very low concentrations. (on undiluted samples) generally required larger quantities sample—with notable exception extract fluorometry. we...